Non-metallic edge gliding board

ABSTRACT

An improved snowboard is provided in accordance with the present invention. The board comprises a soft edge for improved sliding over hard surfaces. The board does not have metallic edges. A method of riding an improved freestyle snowboard is also provided.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] The present invention relates to a gliding board, and inparticular, a snowboard for gliding on non-snow surfaces.

[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art

[0004] Snowboarding is a relatively new sport which can be compared toskateboarding or surfing, on snow. To snowboard, the rider stands on aboard with his/her left or right foot forward, facing one side of theboard. The feet are attached to the board via bindings.

[0005] Snowboarding has gained in popularity only during the last 15years. It was pioneered in the late 1970's by a small group ofindividuals with credit typically going to Jake Burton and Tom Sims. Theroots, however, started with the “snurfer” which was a sledding toyshaped like a small water ski, with rope tied to the back where the userstood. Burton was involved with snurfer racing and was the first to puta retention device on his boards.

[0006] Snowboarding is now prevalent on virtually all downhill skislopes worldwide. In 1985 only 7 percent of ski areas allowedsnowboards; today more than 90 percent allow snowboards, and over halfhave specialized snowboard areas referred to as half pipes and terrainparks. A half pipe is a trough cut or built up with snow, with the termoriginating from skateboarding. Terrain parks include skatepark-likeobstacles such as handrails, ledges, jumps, and slide bars. Today about10 percent of the world skier population comprises snowboarders, withthe annual growth rate for the sport projected at 20 percent. In theUnited States, about 80 percent of snowboarders are male with an averageage of 20.8 years. The average snowboarder rides 15 days a year, whichis 3 times that of the average skier.

[0007] FIGS. 1A-B show plan and cross-sectional views of theconstruction of typical snowboards. Typical snowboards include a centralcore 10 surrounded by a shell 12, which is generally a sturdy material.The board is further characterized by a base 14 which allows the boardto glide along the riding surface. A steel edge 18 is also provided toavoid excessive slipping on snow. These snowboards also typicallyrequire both feet to be mounted to the board during riding.

[0008] As snowboarding has evolved, the sport has divided into a numberof different areas: downhill racing, slalom, GS, Super G, alpine, andfreestyle, among others. Freestyle riders generally use mounds of snow,snowboard half-pipes, ledges, or other structures to launch into the airand perform a number of tricks. These freestyle riders also typicallyuse the boards to slide along structures or obstacles. These structuresare similar to those found in traditional skateparks, frequented byskateboarders. Many of these skateboarders are also snowboarders, anddesire to perform the same tricks during the winter months. This styleof riding is generally referred to as jibbing, which includes ridinghard or rough surfaces, such as wood, metal, and concrete, which aredestructive to traditional snowboards.

[0009] Present snowboards do not provide the flexibility required forthese activities. In addition, the metal edges on snowboards act ascontact points for the board, and produce undesirable friction andcatching. Thus, a snowboard is required that has the characteristics andfeel of a typical snowboard, yet provides improved performance forfreestyle riding.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0010] An improved snowboard for freestyle riding is provided inaccordance with the present invention. An improved method of riding asnowboard on a gliding surface is also provided.

[0011] The snowboard of the present invention generally comprises acore, a running surface, a gliding surface, and a non-metallic edge. Theboard does not include metal edges, reducing friction and catching whilegliding on surfaces. Furthermore, the board has less sidecut because itis not meant to be turned at high speed. The board is generally moreflexible and lighter than the traditional board, which causes it to bemore maneuverable.

[0012] The method of the present invention involves sliding thenon-metallic edge over a non-traditional snowboarding surface orobstacle. The obstacles include those traditionally found at skateparksand other similar obstacles, such as hand rails, benches, stairs, cementledges, picnic tables, curbs, rocks, soccer goal posts, cars and logs. Anumber of additional freestyle riding activities may be performed withthe present invention, such rail slides, nose presses, 50/50s,lipslides, etc.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0013]FIG. 1A is a top view showing a snowboard of the prior art.

[0014]FIG. 1B is a cross-sectional view showing the prior art snowboardof FIG. 1A.

[0015]FIG. 2 is a top view of the snowboard of the present invention.

[0016]FIG. 3 is a side view showing the snowboard of FIG. 2.

[0017]FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the snowboard of FIG. 2.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0018] The following detailed description presents various specificembodiments of the present invention. However, the present invention canbe embodied in a multitude of different forms as defined and covered bythe claims. In this description, reference is made to the drawingswherein like parts are designated with like numerals throughout.

[0019] With reference to FIG. 2, the present invention comprises ariding apparatus 100, which preferably comprises a snowboard. In theembodiment shown in FIGS. 2-4, the riding apparatus 100 comprises asnowboard. In a preferred embodiment, such a snowboard is an elongatestructure, approximately 5 feet in length, having an elongate body 102with a front end 104 and a rear end 106. The board is preferably atleast 4 feet in length, and is generally about 1 foot wide. The board isalso preferably symmetrical as shown in FIG. 2; however, it will beappreciated that the board may also be asymmetrical. The board typicallycurves up at each end 104, 106, providing improved steerability. SeeFIG. 3.

[0020] The riding apparatus is preferably constructed from a centralcore 110, as shown in FIG. 4. The core is typically formed of wood,foam, or a composite material. Surrounding this core is a shell 112,which preferably comprises a sturdy and durable material such as moldedpolyethylene or fiberglass. This material may also comprise a compositematerial. The board also comprises a base 114. The material forming thebase 114 of the riding apparatus allows the board to glide along thesurface, which may include snow. Base 114 forms a gliding surface 115.The materials that form shell 112 and base 114 should be sufficientlylightweight to allow the board to be manually transportable by the riderto the area of use, and may include molded polyethylene, fiberglass, orcomposite materials.

[0021] The board preferably comprises a non-catching edge which formsthe side wall 116 of the board. Non-catching, as used herein, means anedge made of a material which is softer than the material over which theedge is intended to glide. The non-catching edge will not catch on thehard, irregular sliding surfaces. In addition, a non-catching side walldoes not include a metal edge, and is therefore also non-metallic. Theside wall 116 preferably is formed of a plastic such asacrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS). Other suitable materials may formside wall 116. The material should be reasonably abrasion-resistant, butrelatively slick to provide the best running control conditions. Theside wall 116 also preferably extends around the entire length of theboard. However, it also envisioned that the side wall 116 extends onlyalong the sides, and not the front and back of the board. The side wall116 is also preferably chamfered or similarly angled.

[0022] The non-catching side wall 116 provides an improved slidingsurface for the board. Typical snowboards include metal edges, whichtend to cause friction or catch when sliding on hard surfaces, such asrails, stairs, and benches. The non-catching side wall 116 not onlyreduces the friction and eliminates the catching, but also provides anadditional gliding surface. Accordingly, the board comprises a pluralityof gliding surfaces.

[0023] The riding apparatus 100 preferably is characterized by a flat orslightly concave rider support surface 120, which preferably is ofsufficient size to permit a rider to stand on the rider support surface120 with both feet. When the rider stands on the body 102, it tends toflatten out. When the rider is jumping or otherwise not in contact withthe snow or other surface on which he is riding, or only in lightcontact with it, the board reverts to its cambered shape, so as toimprove steerability at the moment of initial contact with the snowsurface.

[0024] The riding apparatus 100 of the present invention has no metaledges. In addition, the riding apparatus of the present invention doesnot require the stiffness and dampening properties of a typicalsnowboard. In traditional snowboards, vibration damping materials likerubber may be provided in the nose and tail, and sometimes between theside wall and edge. Consequently, the board may be constructed to belighter and more flexible than the conventional board, since theseadditional materials are not necessary. However, the board has similarriding properties as a typical snowboard.

[0025] The board has a conventional construction, preferably a sandwichtype structure, as known to those of skill in the art. The ridingapparatus 100 is completed using conventional molding techniques, bylayering the base 114, the core 110, the side walls 116, and the shell112 within a mold. The assembled layers are then molded between upperand lower mold halves, applying heat and pressure to shape and adherethe layers together in accordance with conventional molding techniques.

[0026] Bindings 122 may also be provided for securing a rider to theboard. The bindings 122 are attached to the board using any desiredtechnique as known to those of skill in the art. Holes may simply bedrilled into the board, or a slider system or inserts may beincorporated into the board. However, in another preferred embodiment,the board is ridden without bindings. In this case, the board may alsobe provided with a non-skid surface, such as rubber, to provide animproved gripping surface.

[0027] In the present invention, it is envisioned that the board is tobe glided by advancing the base over a hard surface. The base is anon-catching gliding surface. The side edges no longer catch on the hardsurface due to the non-metallic edges. It is also envisioned that theside edges can be used as a gliding surface as well. The board is notintended primarily for-riding on snow, as with traditional snowboards,but rather for non-traditional gliding surfaces which are harder thanthe non-catching edges. Thus, the board will be used for riding oversurfaces or obstacles such as rails, stairs, benches, cement ledges,picnic tables, curbs, rocks, soccer goal posts, cars, logs and othersimilar non-traditional snowboarding or gliding surfaces. Theseobstacles preferably have a generally slick surface. This style ofriding is traditionally known as jibbing.

[0028] The snowboard may also be ridden similar to present dayskateboards, wherein the rider may perform a number of well knowntricks, such as rail slides, nose presses, 50/50s, lipslides, etc.

[0029] Although the present invention has been described in terms ofcertain preferred embodiments, other embodiments of the inventionincluding variations in dimensions, configuration and materials will beapparent to those of skill in the art in view of the disclosure herein.In addition, all features discussed in connection with any oneembodiment herein can be readily adapted for use in other embodimentsherein. The use of different terms or reference numerals for similarfeatures in different embodiments does not imply differences other thanthose which are expressly set forth. Accordingly, the present inventionis intended to be defined solely by reference to the appended claims,and not limited to the preferred embodiments disclosed herein.

What is claimed is:
 1. A gliding board, comprising: a core; a ridersupport surface; a gliding surface; and a non-metallic edge in contactwith said core, rider support surface and gliding surface.
 2. The boardof claim 1, wherein said non-metallic edge comprises ABS.
 3. The boardof claim 1, further comprising bindings for attaching a rider to saidboard.
 4. The board of claim 1, wherein said core comprises materialsselected from the group consisting of foam, wood, composite materials,and combinations thereof.
 5. A gliding board, comprising: a core; arider support surface; a gliding surface; and a side edge made of ABS,in contact with said core, said rider support surface, and said glidingsurface, wherein said board does not comprise metal edges.
 6. A glidingboard, comprising: a board having an elongate surface and a non-metallicedge, wherein said board has a length of at least about 4 feet, and awidth of about 1 foot.
 7. A method of gliding a board, comprising:gliding a board on a non-snow surface by advancing a non-metallicsurface over obstacles, wherein said board comprises an ABS edge.
 8. Amethod of using a snowboard to slide on obstacles: gliding a board on ahard surface by advancing a non-catching gliding surface over said hardsurface.
 9. A method of gliding a board on a hard surface comprising:advancing a non-catching gliding surface over the hard surface.
 10. Amethod of gliding a board on a hard surface comprising: providing aboard having a gliding surface and an ABS edge; sliding said glidingsurface on the hard surface.
 11. The method of claim 10, wherein saidhard surface is selected from the group consisting of rails, benches,ledges, picnic tables, curbs, rocks, soccer goal posts, cars, logs, andstairs.
 12. A gliding board, comprising: a primary gliding surface; apair of secondary binding surfaces bordering said primary glidingsurface, said secondary gliding surfaces being softer than said primarygliding surface.
 13. The gliding board of claim 12, wherein said pair ofsecondary gliding surfaces comprises ABS.
 14. A gliding board,comprising: a core; a rider support surface; a gliding surface; and anon-catching edge in contact with said core, rider support surface andgliding surface.
 15. A method of gliding a board on a surfacecomprising: advancing an edge over a surface, wherein the edge is softerthan the surface.